Venezuela Rejects U.S. Interference in Essequibo Dispute
Venezuelan FM Yvan Gil, Jan. 28, 2025. X/ @El_Noticiero
January 28, 2025 Hour: 1:03 pm
The only path to resolving the territorial controversy is through compliance with the 1966 Geneva Agreement, FM Gil said.
On Tuesday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil rejected statements made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stated that his country supports Guyana in the controversy with Venezuela over the Essequibo region.
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“Marco Rubio, an enemy of our country, as Secretary of State, continues to show his unhealthy obsession with harming Venezuela. Now, he seeks to support the fantasies of the Guyanese government, which aims to strip us of the historic rights bequeathed to us by our liberators and which are an inalienable part of our sovereignty,” said the Bolivarian diplomat.
“The only legitimate and valid path to resolving the territorial controversy over the Guayana Essequibo is through compliance with the 1966 Geneva Agreement. Neither the ill-intentioned interference of our enemies nor deceitful policies will alter this reality.”
“The Guyanese government must understand that its obligation is not to third parties but to history, international law, and regional peace. It must sit down at the table and negotiate based on the principles established in the Geneva Agreement. The sun of Venezuela rises in the Essequibo!” Gil stressed.
Sovereignty over the Essequibo territory has been in dispute for nearly two centuries and has recently led to increased tension between Venezuela and Guyana, a country that has administered the region as its own since 1966.
Taking advantage of the ongoing territorial dispute, Guyana has granted licenses to oil companies, including the U.S. company ExxonMobil. This has occurred in undelimited maritime areas, illegally exploiting Venezuela’s natural resources.
The territorial conflict is currently before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). While Guyana has stated that it will respect the court’s ruling, Venezuela rejects the ICJ’s jurisdiction to decide on the dispute.
teleSUR/ JF Sources: EFE – VTV
